Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Ruthie In DC, Update

When I got into Washington DC, a man named Robert Egger suggested that I stay at the downtown homeless shelter there. He told me in an email that his friend would fix me right up.

This is what happened:

I went to the DC Central Kitchen and finally followed a woman up to what can only be described as Washington DC's dirtiest secret.

Yes, I spent one night there. But I did not sleep alone.

I was accompanied by mice [yes, as in ears and tails, Campers] and roaches bigger than my thumb.

The shelter consists of numerous rooms that are connected by several long hallways. Beds are jammed together. And after checking-out the exits, I know that if a fire broke out, many people would never get off that floor alive.

I went to take a shower and discovered that the ceiling is rotted, hanging down in strips in places and covered with black mold.

When I went to get something to eat, I was told that if I didn't have my own eating utensil, I was out of luck.

A woman donated an extra plastic fork that she had in her purse.

There were a total of three trays available for me to use. Everyone else used their own tupperware or bowls which they washed-out in the bathroom sink.

Toilet paper was rationed and cigarettes were sold for $4.00 a pack from a vending machine by the front "desk."

While I was eating, a mouse fell from a pipe above my head and nearly landed in my food.

After "dinner" I watched the rodents and the roaches scramble all over the kitchen counters.

Ruthie Rader

This blog represents 13 years of my life. This profile helps Google (which I have been connected to since 2004) introduce me to the world. I am 62 and I am still hitchhiking around the United States. I have traveled throughout Alaska, Canada and every State in the Continental U.S. I can also be found on Facebook and YouTube. I like music, photography, political voodoo, controversial issues, travel, caffeine and cheese...but not necessarily in that order.